R&R to Be Acquired by Parent of Billboard, ACNielsen

VNU N.V., a company based in the Netherlands and New York, has announced a deal to acquire Radio & Records Inc.
VNU said it expects the transaction to close by Aug. 1. That brings R&R under the same ownership as publishing rival Billboard.
Terms were not disclosed. Industry experts will be watching to see how the firms integrate their respective airplay charts as well as airplay monitoring arms.
R&R is known for its print publication of that name but also has Internet and digital services, research and convention and seminar products.
In the announcement, Michael Marchesano, president/CEO of VNU Business Media and Nielsen Entertainment, stated that the purchase “is in line with VNU’s strategy to further strengthen its services to the radio and record industries. With the added resources of VNU, especially our music services, including the Billboard Information Group, Nielsen BDS and Nielsen SoundScan, R&R will continue to grow as a vibrant brand.”
R&R operations will be integrated into the Billboard Music Group. Publisher Erica Farber will remain.
According to Reuters and Hollywood Reporter (itself owned by VNU), R&R was founded in 1973 by Bob Wilson and has had several ownership changes since.